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"Creative destruction" can bring down even the biggest and most well-established companies, but it's possible to avoid that fate. Experts say it's important to eliminate bureaucracy, play aggressively and, above all, have a healthy dose of luck. "We tend to overestimate how much we know," says Wal-Mart and Dell director James W. Breyer. "Luck plays an enormous role in every investment or corporate story of success."

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The old-line corporate model is being exposed in a digital environment, with "creative destruction" leaving little space for sustainable competition and ultimately leading to the economic stagnation that businesses are trying to avoid, writes Douglas Rushkoff. "Corporations have been great at extracting money from all corners of the world, but they don't really have great ways of spending or investing it," Rushkoff writes.

Johnny Earle, founder of offbeat apparel brand Johnny Cupcakes, says generating social buzz depends on keeping things fresh. That means not simply using social media as a sales channel, but regularly staging innovative contests or real-world stunts. "Luck has nothing to do with it. Stop making excuses and start making stuff," Earle says.

Activity in the market for distressed commercial real estate loans won't pick up until an element of "creative destruction" is introduced, says Tobin Cobb, co-CEO of LNR Property. A lot of capital is waiting on the sidelines to invest in this market niche. "If assets are being held around you in bank land at prices that you believe are unnaturally high, you're very reluctant to go in and invest in an asset, even if you think you're getting good value today, because you don't know if a flood of assets is going to be coming in against you at prices that might reflect real values," he said.

There are seven F-words that every boss should master to create happy, healthy and creative workforces, writes Paul Batz. Workers and bosses alike need time for their friends, family, and personal fitness; they need faith and financial stability; and they need to have fun while building for the future. "I find the stress to be manageable when I am finding ways to effectively keep all of the Seven F's within my daily and weekly routine. I'm more creative, more courageous and happier," Batz writes.

Bankers have another tough year ahead of them in 2010, as Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairwoman Sheila Bair says she expects more bank failures this year than last. But stronger community banks are looking to expand their territory at the expense of weaker rivals, bringing about "creative destruction" in the industry, according to one banker.